The Tri-Cities is a
metropolitan area in the southeast corner of Washington,
consisting of Benton and Franklin counties. Three
neighboring cities are the principal cities for the
metropolitan area: Kennewick, Pasco, and Richland. A fourth
neighboring city, West Richland, is generally included as
part of the Tri-City area and region. Pasco is the
seat of Franklin County, while the other cities are located
in Benton County. If the Tri-Cities were a single city, it
would be the fourth largest city in the
state of Washington, behind Seattle, Spokane, and Tacoma.
The Tri-Cities make up the largest metropolitan
area in the southeastern quadrant of Washington
The Tri-Cities are in a semi-arid climate, receiving an
average of 7 to 8 inches of precipitation every year. Winds
periodically exceed 30 mph when Chinook wind conditions
exist. There are 300 days of sunshine every year.
Temperatures range from as low as 10 °F in the winter
to as high as 110 in the summer, and even reached 115 °F in
July 2006. The region receives occasional snow most years.
The large Cascade Mountain Range to the west contributes to
the semi-arid climate.
The Tri-Cities economy has historically been based on
farming and the Hanford Nuclear Reservation. Recent years
have seen the region's booming wine
industry second in size only to California's Napa Valley.
The production of Milk as well as Apples, grapes, Cherries,
Grain, Alfalfa and many other Agriculture
products keeps the Tri-Cities at the top of the list as one
of the most favorable places for fresh Farm products.
Summer Boat Races on the Columbia River attracts thousand
all over the country each summer.
